- ADHD = Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Wikipedia
- ADHD children have much lower levels of vitamin D
- ADHD is more likely if low vitamin D in early pregnancy
- Less sun is associated with more ADHD (season and latitude)
- The ADHD rate has increased a lot in past few decades - especially for adults
- Vitamin D levels have dropped a lot in the past few decades
- There are many positive observational studies of Vitamin D and ADHD
- ADHD shares risk factors with Autism and many other diseases
Low Vitamin D, Low Omega-3, Low Magnesium, Low UVB (= high latitude or winter)
(More ADHD info below)
Learn how Vitamin D is essential for good health
Watch a 5 minute video "Does Less Sun Mean more Disease?"
Browse for other Health Problems and D in left column or here
see also Supplementing and More in the menu at the top of every page
If you have a disease associated with low Vit D take Vit D
Raising your Vit D levels will substantially prevent other low-Vit D health problems
Often your specific health problem will also be treated
- ADHD Meta-analyses on Vitamin D Life
- All items in ADHD category on Vitamin D Life
- All items in both categories ADHD and Omega-3 in Vitamin D Life
- See also Vitamin D Life
- Overlap of ADHD and Autism, etc
- ADHD Celebs
- See web
- ADHD and low Vitamin D while pregnant
- ADHD 2 X more likely if Tylenol (which decreases Vitamin D) was used a lot during pregnancy
- ADHD 1.5X more likely if low Vitamin D during early pregnancy– Dec 2019
- For every 10 ng more vitamin D during pregnancy 11% less likely for child to have ADHD symptoms - July 2015
- ADHD decreased 11% for every 4 ng higher level of vitamin D in cord at birth - 2016
- ADHD is more likely if preterm birth (associated with low Vitamin D) - 2011
- Vitamin D Life Opinion
- 95 percent of ADHD had inadequate vitamin D from food– Jan 2018
- ADHD children had 21 ng of vitamin D (control = 35 ng) – Jan 2014
- Omega-3 intervention should reduce the ADHD risk
- ADHD 2 times more likely if poor Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio – meta-analysis May 2016
- ADHD reduced by Omega-3 in trials either using high doses or over long term – July 2016
- Half of ADHD children treated by Omega-3 RCT 2009
- PubMed - March 2019 Omega-3 appears to treat ADHD
- ADHD helped by combination of Omega-3 and Zinc - 2016
- Note: Omega-3 test is low cost and can be done at home
- Less sun ==> more ADHD (March 2013)
- ADHD children have low vitamin D levels (19 vs 29 ng) 2015
- ADHD children taking methylphenidate or amphetamine for more than 6 months have bone loss - April 2016
- ADHD prescriptions in US
- ADHD prescription by young adults up 220% in a decade
- Ritalin in UK
- ADHD Chart of possible reasons (vitamin D not mentioned)
- Magnesium and mental illness chart
- ADHD 21 ng, normals 33 ng - June 2014
- Brainplasticity software has shown nice improvement in some ADHD symptoms - 2016
- ADHD associated with both low vitamin D and poor Vitamin D Receptor - Feb 2018
- Adult ADHD and Vitamin Bs and Vitamin D - 2016
- ADHD associated with low Vit D and Zinc; but high Magnesium, Folate, and B12 - April 2018
- Molecular reasons that Vitamin D treats ADHD - Aug 2018
- Less ADHD where the sun is brighter (United States) - March 2013
- ADHD in US teens increased 1.9 X in 20 years, black children and teens 2.7 X - 2018
- Saffron as good as Ritalin at treating ADHD - RCT 2019
ADHD Meta-analyses on Vitamin D Life
- Mental disorders fought by Omega-3 etc. - meta-meta-analysis Oct 2019
- Autism risk increased 30 percent by Cesareans (both low vitamin D) – meta-analysis Sept 2019
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder helped by Vitamin D, need more data – meta-analysis July 2019
- Increased risk of ADHD (28 pct.) and Autism (58 pct.) if low vitamin D during pregnancy – meta-analysis Jan 2019
- ADHD associated with low vitamin D in all 8 trials – meta-analysis Oct 2018
- ADHD in children 2.6 X more likely if low vitamin D – meta-analysis Feb 2018
All items in ADHD category on Vitamin D Life
- wiki page:
- ADHD risk factors include low Zinc, Vitamin D, Magnesium and Omega-3 (umbrella review) – Oct 2020
- Mental disorders fought by Omega-3 etc. - meta-meta-analysis Oct 2019
- Autism risk increased 30 percent by Cesareans (both low vitamin D) – meta-analysis Sept 2019
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder helped by Vitamin D, need more data – meta-analysis July 2019
- Behavior disorders reduced with Magnesium, Omega-3, and Zinc
- Risk of severe ADHD increased 2X if multiple pesticides in urine while pregnant – June 2019
- ADHD children eat less fatty fish (Omega-3 again) – May 2019
- Omega-3 probably can decrease Autism and ADHD – March 2019
- Hypothesis – Brain plasticity improved by Vitamin D – Feb 2019
- Increased risk of ADHD (28 pct.) and Autism (58 pct.) if low vitamin D during pregnancy – meta-analysis Jan 2019
- ADHD associated with low vitamin D in all 8 trials – meta-analysis Oct 2018
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder impulsivity reduced by daily 1,000 IU of vitamin D – RCT Jan 2019
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder treated by weekly 50,000 IU of vitamin D – RCT Nov 2018
- ADHD associated with significantly less Vitamin B12 – Sept 2018
- Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder increasing (2.7X in US Blacks under age 18 in 20 years) – Sept 2018
- Vaccinated children had more chronic diseases - Sept 2018
- Vitamin D patented to treat ADHD – June 2018
- ADHD associated with both low vitamin D and poor Vitamin D receptor – May 2018
- Omega-3 reduced violence in children and violence between parents – RCT May 2018
- Omega-3 and Vitamin D each treat many mental health problems - April 2018
- ADHD 4 year-olds – smaller brain regions proportional to ADHD severity – March 2018
- ADHD reduced by just 3,000 IU of Vitamin D and methylphenidate for just 12 weeks – RCT Feb 2018
- ADHD in children 2.6 X more likely if low vitamin D – meta-analysis Feb 2018
- A good Vitamin D Receptor (or perhaps more vitamin D) protects against lead during pregnancy
- ADHD, Autism, Early Psychosis and Omega-3 – review Dec 2017
- ADHD 2 X more likely if Tylenol used a lot during pregnancy (Autism increased too) – Dec 2016
- Autism and ADHD type disorders were 14X more likely in survey of extreme preterm vaccinated infants - April 2017
- Pesticides increase risk of Cancers, Alz, ALS, Asthma, ADHD, etc. (all related to low vitamin D) – Oct 2016
- ADHD 2 times more likely if poor Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio – meta-analysis May 2016
- ADHD decreased by 11% for each 10 ng increase in vitamin D in early pregnancy – April 2015
- ADHD in Arab countries – vitamin D is the only changeable risk factor – review April 2015
- Deficiencies of Vitamin D, Iron, Magnesium, and Zinc all associated with ADHD – Sept 2014
- Restless Legs Syndrome and ADHD strongly associated (no mention of vitamin D) – 2005
- ADHD and Vitamin D Deficiency
- Psychiatric problems such as ADHD treated with vitamin D – March 2010
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All items in both categories ADHD and Omega-3 in Vitamin D Life
- ADHD risk factors include low Zinc, Vitamin D, Magnesium and Omega-3 (umbrella review) – Oct 2020
- Mental disorders fought by Omega-3 etc. - meta-meta-analysis Oct 2019
- Behavior disorders reduced with Magnesium, Omega-3, and Zinc
- ADHD children eat less fatty fish (Omega-3 again) – May 2019
- Omega-3 probably can decrease Autism and ADHD – March 2019
- Omega-3 reduced violence in children and violence between parents – RCT May 2018
- ADHD, Autism, Early Psychosis and Omega-3 – review Dec 2017
- ADHD 2 times more likely if poor Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio – meta-analysis May 2016
- ADHD and Vitamin D Deficiency
See also: ADHD Omega-3 on the web
- Omega-3 PUFAs in children with ADHD 2019 PHD thesis, extensive abstract
- 2019 PHD by Sellick "The effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the cognitive neuroscience of ADHD"
See also Vitamin D Life
- Psych meds used by 1 in 13 U.S. schoolkids (wonder about interaction with vitamin D) – April 2014
- Vitamin D Life Category Magnesium
259 items - Vitamin D Life Category Omega-3
330 items - Autism and Vitamin D studies
133 items - Season of Birth
22 items - Hypothesis: Dyslexia and low vitamin D - early 2013
- Manic depressives (Bipolar I) have low vitamin D levels – Jan 2018
- Hypothesis: Some Mental Illness could be treated or prevented with vitamin D
Overlap of ADHD and Autism, etc
ADHD Celebs
See web
- Young Women Are Using A.D.H.D. Drugs in Greater Numbers, C.D.C. Reports NYT Jan 2018
Prescriptions up 7X since 2003 in women aged 25-29. Higher rate in the South and West
Typical drugs: Adderall, Vyvanse and Ritalin - 700 Percent Increase in Prescribed ADHD Treatments Mercola May 2018
Nonmedical use of Adderall was almost 3 X higher than the use of nonmedical marijuana and 8 X higher than the use of cocaine. - ADHD associated with both low vitamin D and low iron Sept 2014
full free text online. Note: iron deficiency is associated with low vitamin D in many other diseases - ADHD and Vitamin D Deficiency June 2014
Vitamin D much lower in those with ADHD: ADHD: 17 ng vs 26 ng - Might be able to predict ADHD based on Low vitamin D levels Nov 2013
 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life. - Predict attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? Evidence -based medicine Nov 2013
household income, poor relationship between parents, mothers' occupation, consanguinity, BMI in percentiles, low duration of time under sun light, physical activity, low serum calcium level and low vitamin D level were considered as the main risk factors associated with the ADHD - Iron and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: What is the empirical evidence so far? A systematic review of the literature. 2012
- More Sunshine Tied to Fewer Cases of ADHD Psych Central review of the study
The study ruled out several other possible explanations for the geographic variability including low birth weight, infant mortality levels, socioeconomic differences and latitude.
Arns said that vitamin D levels are an unlikely explanation for the results, since another recent large study showed no relationship between the vitamin and behavioral problems in children. - Sunlight exposure correlates to a reduced risk of ADHD Sunlight Institute discussion of this study - Oct 2013
- Significant Increase in ADHD Over Last 9 Years Psych Central on Kaiser Report, 2013
24 % between 2001 and 2010. Black children had a 70% relative increase in ADHD incidence - ADHD linked with 2 Vitamin & Mineral Deficiencies July 2010
ADHD linked to low level of Magnesium AND low vitamin D - Magnesium Decreases Hyperactivity in ADHD Children Nov 2016
- Vitamin D and other deficiencies can be mistaken for ADHD short article which refers to book
- Psychiatric insanity: Over 20% of young boys labeled 'ADHD' Natural News Dec 2013
20% labeled ADHD sometime in their life, which is an increase of 42% from 2003 to 2011 - Wide Global Variation in ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Medscape May 2011 - A global increase in ADHD, not just US
. . the prevalence of ADHD varies across nations but that most of this difference is due to disparate diagnostic practices and algorithms.
. . a meta-analysis indicated that differences in prevalence are largely attributable to methodologic differences in the studies themselves rather than cultural or national factors.
China . . . use of methylphenidate medication is difficult because the government-run health system mandates that any prescriptions be given for a maximum of only 2 weeks
CLICK HERE for full study - Is It Alzheimer’s, or A.D.H.D.? New York Times Sept 2015
3 % of Dutch over 60 have A.D.H. D. It overlaps with age-related cognitive decline
Note by Vitamin D Life - both are associated with and probably prevented and treated with vitamin D - High maternal vitamin D levels in early pregnancy may protect against behavioral difficulties at preschool age July 2017
40% less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD at age 4 if mother had > 51 nmol at 13 weeks
 Download the PDF from Sci-Hub via Vitamin D Life - Geographic variation in the prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: the sunny perspective Oct 2013
Sunshine explains 34-57% of the geographic variation in ADHD
 Download the PDF from ResearchGate via Vitamin D Life - Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Very Preterm/Very Low Birth Weight: A Meta-analysis Dec 2017
ADHD 3X more likely if Very Preterm/Very Low Birth Weight
 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life - The Selling of Attention Deficit Disorder NY Times Dec 2013, shows adult ADHD increasing faster than 20 years old
THE ADHD HALL OF FAME: Benjamin Franklin, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Galileo, Thomas Edison, Wilbur Wright, Leonardo da Vinci, Walt Disney. Louis Pasteur, Winstone Churchill, Henry Ford, Alexander Graham Bell, Beethoven, Pablo Picasso, William Randolph Hearst, Robert Frost, Frank Lloyd Wright, Nikola Tessla - in the 2008 book "Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders" which has a chapter on supplements, "One of these conditions now strikes one in every three children in America."ADHD and low Vitamin D while pregnant
ADHD 2 X more likely if Tylenol (which decreases Vitamin D) was used a lot during pregnancy
ADHD 2 X more likely if Tylenol used a lot during pregnancy (Autism increased too) – Dec 2016
ADHD 1.5X more likely if low Vitamin D during early pregnancy– Dec 2019
Maternal Vitamin D Levels and the Risk of Offspring Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2019.11.021Objective
Recent evidence has highlighted the importance of vitamin D to the development of the central nervous system. Some studies have shown an association between maternal vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and offspring Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms based on parent- or teacher ratings. There are no previous studies on early pregnancy 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and the risk of diagnosed offspring ADHD. Our aim was to examine maternal 25(OH)D levels in early pregnancy and offspring ADHD.Method
In this nationwide population-based case-control study, 1067 ADHD cases born between 1998 and 1999 and diagnosed according to the International Classification of Diseases and 1067 matched controls, were identified from Finnish registers. Maternal 25(OH)D levels were measured using quantitative immunoassay from maternal sera, collected during the first trimester, and archived in the national biobank. Conditional logistic regression was used to examine the association between maternal 25(OH)D and offspring ADHD.Results
There was a significant association between decreasing log-transformed maternal 25(OH)D levels and offspring ADHD both in the unadjusted analyses (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.33-2.05, P<.001) as well as in the analyses adjusting for maternal socio-economic status and age (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.15-1.81, P=.002). Analyses by quintiles of maternal 25(OH)D levels in the lowest versus highest quintile revealed an adjusted odds ratio for offspring ADHD of 1.53 (95% CI 1.11-2.12, P=.010).Conclusion
This study demonstrated an association between low maternal 25(OH)D during pregnancy and an elevated risk for offspring ADHD. If replicated in independent samples, this finding may have significant public health implications.For every 10 ng more vitamin D during pregnancy 11% less likely for child to have ADHD symptoms - July 2015
Vitamin D in Pregnancy and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-like Symptoms in Childhood.
Epidemiology. 2015 Jul;26(4):458-65. doi: 10.1097/EDE.0000000000000292.
Morales E1, Julvez J, Torrent M, Ballester F, Rodríguez-Bernal CL, Andiarena A, Vegas O, Castilla AM, Rodriguez-Dehli C, Tardón A, Sunyer J.BACKGROUND:Vitamin D status during prenatal brain development may influence risk of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in childhood. However, there are no prospective studies addressing this hypothesis. We aimed to examine whether maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy is associated with risk of ADHD-like symptoms in offspring.
METHODS: We conducted a prospective study analyzing data from 1,650 mother-child pairs from five birth cohorts embedded in the INMA Project (Spain, 1997-2008). Maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy was estimated by measuring plasma concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] at 13 weeks of gestation. Children were assessed by teachers for ADHD-like symptoms at ages 4-5 years using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ADHD form list.
RESULTS: After adjustment, the number of total ADHD-like symptoms in children decreased by 11% per 10 ng/ml increment of maternal 25(OH)D3 concentration (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.80, 0.98). Similarly, the number of symptoms in the ADHD subscales decreased in relation to higher maternal 25(OH)D3 concentration (IRR per 10 ng/ml increment = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.79, 0.99 for the inattention scale; and IRR = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.78, 0.99 for the hyperactivity-impulsivity scale). Using diagnostic criteria, we found an association of increasing maternal 25(OH)D3 with a lower risk of ADHD DSM-IV (relative risk ratio per 10 ng/ml increment = 0.87; 95% CI = 0.72, 1.06) and ICD-10 hyperkinetic disorder (relative risk ratio = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.49, 1.04) in children.
CONCLUSION: Higher maternal circulating levels of 25(OH)D3 in pregnancy are associated with lower risk of developing ADHD-like symptoms in childhood.
ADHD decreased 11% for every 4 ng higher level of vitamin D in cord at birth - 2016
Inverse associations between cord vitamin D and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms: A child cohort study.
Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2016 Sep 30. pii: 0004867416670013.
Mossin MH1, Aaby JB1, Dalgård C2, Lykkedegn S3, Christesen HT3, Bilenberg N4.OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between cord 25-hydroxyvitamin D2+3 (25(OH)D) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in toddlers, using Child Behaviour Checklist for ages 1.5-5.
METHOD: In a population-based birth cohort, a Child Behaviour Checklist for ages 1.5-5 questionnaire was returned from parents of 1233 infants with mean age 2.7 (standard deviation 0.6) years. Adjusted associations between cord 25(OH)D and Child Behaviour Checklist-based attention deficit hyperactivity disorder problems were analysed by multiple regression.
RESULTS: The median cord 25(OH)D was 44.1 (range: 1.5-127.1) nmol/L. Mean attention deficit hyperactivity disorder problem score was 2.7 (standard deviation 2.1). In adjusted analyses, cord 25(OH)D levels >25 nmol/L and >30 nmol/L were associated with lower attention deficit hyperactivity disorder scores compared to levels ⩽25 nmol/L (p = 0.035) and ⩽30 nmol/L (p = 0.043), respectively. The adjusted odds of scoring above the 90th percentile on the Child Behaviour Checklist-based attention deficit hyperactivity disorder problem scale decreased by 11% per 10 nmol/L increase in cord 25(OH)D.
CONCLUSION: An inverse association between cord 25(OH)D and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in toddlers was found, suggesting a protective effect of prenatal vitamin D.
ADHD is more likely if preterm birth (associated with low Vitamin D) - 2011
Preterm Birth and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Schoolchildren
Vitamin D Life Opinion
Probably can reduce risk of ADHD by getting lots of Vitamin D in early pregnancy or preconception
Ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby - take Vitamin D before conception has the following
95 percent of ADHD had inadequate vitamin D from food– Jan 2018
Evaluation of dietary intake in children and college students with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Nutr Neurosci. 2018 Jan 23:1-14. doi: 10.1080/1028415X.2018.1427661. [Epub ahead of print]
Evaluation of dietary intake in children and college students with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Holton KF1, Johnstone JM2,3, Brandley ET4, Nigg JT3.
1 Center for Behavioral Neuroscience , Department of Health Studies , American University , Washington, DC , USA.
2 Department of Neurology , Oregon Health & Science University , Portland , OR , USA.
3 Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , Oregon Health & Science University , Portland , OR , USA.
4 Department of Health Studies , American University , Washington , DC , USA.OBJECTIVES: To evaluate dietary intake among individuals with and without attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), to evaluate the likelihood that those with ADHD have inadequate intakes.
METHODS:
Children, 7-12 years old, with (n = 23) and without (n = 22) ADHD, and college students, 18-25 years old, with (n = 21) and without (n = 30) ADHD comprised the samples. Children's dietary intake was assessed by a registered dietitian using 24-hour recalls over 3 days. College students kept a detailed food record over three days. Dietary information for both groups was entered into the Nutrition Data Systems for Research database, and output was analyzed using SAS 9.4. Nutrient analyses included the Healthy Eating Index-2010, Micronutrient Index (as a measure of overall micronutrient intake), and individual amino acids necessary for neurotransmission. Logistic regression was used to model the association of nutrient intake with ADHD. Models were adjusted for age, sex, IQ (or GPA), and energy intake (or total protein intake) as appropriate. Significance was evaluated at P = 0.05, and using the Benjamini-Hochberg corrected P-value for multiple comparisons.RESULTS:
No evidence existed for reduced nutrient intake among those with ADHD compared to controls in either age group. Across both groups, inadequate intakes of vitamin D and potassium were reported in 95% of participants. Children largely met nutrient intake guidelines, while college students failed to meet these guidelines for nine nutrients. In regards to amino acid intake in children, an increased likelihood of having ADHD was associated with higher consumption of aspartate, OR = 12.61 (P = 0.01) and glycine OR = 11.60 (P = 0.05); and a reduced likelihood of ADHD with higher intakes of glutamate, OR = 0.34 (P = 0.03). Among young adults, none of the amino acids were significantly associated with ADHD, though glycine and tryptophan approached significance.DISCUSSION:
Results fail to support the hypothesis that ADHD is driven solely by dietary micronutrient inadequacy. However, amino acids associated with neurotransmission, specifically those affecting glutamatergic neurotransmission, differed by ADHD status in children. Amino acids did not reliably vary among college students. Future larger scale studies are needed to further examine whether or not dietary intake of amino acids may be a modulating factor in ADHD.PMID: 29361884 DOI: 10.1080/1028415X.2018.1427661
See also web Glutamate and Aspartate Are the Major Excitatory Transmitters in the Brain
Chapter in a 1999 book - online, freeADHD children had 21 ng of vitamin D (control = 35 ng) – Jan 2014
Vitamin D Status in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Pediatr Int. 2014 Jan 13. doi: 10.1111/ped.12286.
Goksugur SB, Tufan AE, Semiz M, Gunes C, Bekdas M, Tosun M, Demircioglu F.
Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey.BACKGROUND: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric disorders of the childhood is an early onset, affecting 2-18 % of the children worldwide. Etiopathogenesis of ADHD is obscure. In recent studies, low levels of vitamin D are found in association with many disorders as well as in neuropsychiatric diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate serum vitamin D levels in pediatric ADHD patients.
METHODS: A total of 60 ADHD patients and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Ages of the both groups were in 7 and 18 years old range. Serum levels of 25-OH-Vitamin D, calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were investigated.
RESULTS: Serum levels of 25-OH-vitamin D were found to be significantly lower in children and adolescents with ADHD compared to healthy controls and no significant differences were found between the groups in terms of other variables. 25-OH-vitamin D level in ADHD group and control group was respectively; 20.9±19.4 ng/mL and 34.9±15.4 ng/mL (p=0.001).
CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that there is an association between lower 25-OH-vitamin D concentrations and ADHD in childhood and adolescence. Up to our knowledge, this is the first study that investigates the relationship between vitamin D and ADHD in children.
PMID: 24417979 patients/caregivers can buy a copy of the study from the publisher for just $3.50
Omega-3 intervention should reduce the ADHD risk
ADHD 2 times more likely if poor Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio – meta-analysis May 2016
ADHD reduced by Omega-3 in trials either using high doses or over long term – July 2016
Critical appraisal of omega-3 fatty acids in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder treatment.
Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2016 Jul 26;12:1869-82. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S68652. eCollection 2016.
Königs A1, Kiliaan AJ1.Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder. The classical treatment of ADHD where stimulant medication is used has revealed severe side effects and intolerance. Consequently, the demand to search for alternative treatment has increased rapidly. When comparing levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFAs) in ADHD patients with those in age-matching controls, lower levels are found in ADHD patients' blood. ω-3 PUFAs are essential nutrients and necessary for a proper brain function and development. Additionally, there are strong indications that ω-3 PUFA supplements could have beneficial effects on ADHD. However, the results of ω-3 PUFA supplementation studies show a high variability. Therefore, we reviewed recent studies published between 2000 and 2015 to identify effective treatment combinations, the quality of design, and safety and tolerability of ω-3-containing food supplements. We searched the databases MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science with keywords such as "ADHD" and "ω-3/6 PUFA" and identified 25 studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria.The results of these ω-3 PUFA studies are contradictory but, overall, show evidence for a successful treatment of ADHD symptoms. Tolerability of the given supplements was high, and only mild side effects were reported.
In conclusion, there is evidence that a ω-3 PUFA treatment has a positive effect on ADHD. It should be added that treatment could be more effective in patients with mild forms of ADHD. Moreover, the dosage of stimulant medication could be reduced when used in combination with ω-3 PUFA supplements. Further studies are necessary to investigate underlying mechanisms that can lead to a reduction of ADHD symptoms due to ω-3 PUFA treatments and also to determine the optimal concentrations of ω-3 PUFAs, whether used as single treatment or in combination with other medication.
PMID: 27555775 PMCID: PMC4968854 DOI: 10.2147/NDT.S68652
 Download the PDF from Vitamin D LifeHalf of ADHD children treated by Omega-3 RCT 2009
Omega-3/Omega-6 Fatty Acids for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial in Children and Adolescents
Journal of Attention Disorders March 2009 vol. 12 no. 5 394-401Objective: The aim of the study was to assess omega 3/6 fatty acids (eye q) in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method: The study included a randomized, 3-month, omega 3/6 placebo-controlled, one-way crossover trial with 75 children and adolescents (8—18 years), followed by 3 months with omega 3/6 for all. Investigator-rated ADHD Rating Scale—IV and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale were outcome measures. Results: A majority did not respond to omega 3/6 treatment.
However, a subgroup of 26% responded with more than 25% reduction of ADHD symptoms and a drop of CGI scores to the near-normal range.
After 6 months, 47% of all showed such improvement. Responders tended to have ADHD inattentive subtype and comorbid neurodevelopmental disorders.
Conclusion: A subgroup of children and adolescents with ADHD, characterized by inattention and associated neurodevelopmental disorders, treated with omega 3/6 fatty acids for 6 months responded with meaningful reduction of ADHD symptoms. (J. of Att. Dis. 2009; 12(5) 394-401)Publisher still wants $36 for the PDF
PubMed - March 2019 Omega-3 appears to treat ADHD
- Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Youths with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials and Biological Studies Feb 2018
- The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Developmental Psychopathology: A Systematic Review on Early Psychosis, Autism, and ADHD Dec 2017, free PDF
- Omega-3 supplementation associated with improved parent-rated executive function in youth with mood disorders: secondary analyses of the omega 3 and therapy (OATS) trials. Oct 2017
Omega-3 for just 12 weeks significantly improved ADHD therapy - A double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial of omega-3 supplementation in children with moderate ADHD symptoms Oct 2017
12 weeks, no improvement - Do Omega-3/6 Fatty Acids Have a Therapeutic Role in Children and Young People with ADHD? Aug 2017
15 studies reviewed. "omega-3/6 fatty acids offer great promise as a suitable adjunctive therapy for ADHD"
Full free PDF online - Omega-6 to Omega-3 Fatty Acid Ratio in Patients with ADHD: A Meta-Analysis Spring 2016 Free PDF
ADHD helped by combination of Omega-3 and Zinc - 2016
 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life
Note: Omega-3 test is low cost and can be done at home
Less sun ==> more ADHD (March 2013)
Geographic Variation in the Prevalence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: The Sunny Perspective
Biological Psychiatry, doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.02.010
Martijn Arns email address; Kristiaan B. van der Heijden, L. Eugene Arnold. J. Leon Kenemans
Received 6 December 2012; received in revised form 19 February 2013; accepted 19 February 2013. published online 25 March 2013.Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common psychiatric disorder of childhood, with average worldwide prevalence of 5.3%, varying by region.
Methods: We assessed the relationship between the prevalence of ADHD and solar intensity (SI) (kilowatt hours/square meters/day) on the basis of multinational and cross-state studies. Prevalence data for the U.S. were based on self-report of professional diagnoses; prevalence data for the other countries were based on diagnostic assessment. The SI data were obtained from national institutes.
Results: In three datasets (across 49 U.S. states for 2003 and 2007, and across 9 non-U.S. countries) a relationship between SI and the prevalence of ADHD was found, explaining 34%–57% of the variance in ADHD prevalence, with high SI having an apparent preventative effect. Controlling for low birth weight, infant mortality, average income (socioeconomic status), latitude, and other relevant factors did not change these findings. Furthermore, these findings were specific to ADHD, not found for the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders or major depressive disorder.
Conclusions: In this study we found a lower prevalence of ADHD in areas with high SI for both U.S. and non-U.S. data. This association has not been reported before in the literature.
The preventative effect of high SI might be related to an improvement of circadian clock disturbances, which have recently been associated with ADHD. These findings likely apply to a substantial subgroup of ADHD patients and have major implications in our understanding of the etiology and possibly prevention of ADHD by medical professionals, schools, parents, and manufacturers of mobile devices.ADHD children have low vitamin D levels (19 vs 29 ng) 2015
The Relationship between Serum Vitamin D Level and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Iran J Child Neurol. 2015 Fall;9(4):48-53.
Sharif MR1, Madani M2, Tabatabaei F3, Tabatabaee Z4.OBJECTIVE:
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders. In recent years, the impacts of various micronutrients on ADHD have been studied. However, vitamin D has received much less attention. This study was aimed at evaluating the association and level of serum vitamin D in children with ADHD.MATERIALS & METHODS: This case-control study was carried out, in 2012, on 6 to 12 yr-old children. Thirty-seven were children with ADHD in the cases group and another 37 healthy children were in the control group. Venous blood sample was drawn from each child to measure the serum level of vitamin D. Other variables were compared as well.
RESULTS: The mean serum vitamin D level of children with ADHD (19.11±10.10 ng/ml) was significantly lower than that of the control group (28.67±13.76 ng/ml) (P<0.001).
CONCLUSION:
Deficiency of vitamin D has been proved in various psychiatric diseases.
This study evidenced a significantly low level of serum vitamin D in children with ADHD.
This suggests the need for regularly monitoring of serum vitamin D levels and treatment of patients with vitamin D deficiencies.PMID: 26664441
Intervention with vitamin D alleviated signs of ADHD - mentioned in PDF
In an interventional study on 80 patients with ADHD above the age of 16 in New Zealand, reported 27% prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency.
Using vitamin D supplement for eight weeks was found to be effective in alleviating the signs of the disease Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life
ADHD children taking methylphenidate or amphetamine for more than 6 months have bone loss - April 2016
The study recommends taking Calcium and Vitamin D to minimize bone loss
Vitamin D Life recommend taking Vitamin D in the first place and avoliding ADHDADHD prescriptions in US
ADHD prescription by young adults up 220% in a decade
88% in 4 years by those in age range 26-34 NY Times March 2014
Ritalin in UK
ADHD Chart of possible reasons (vitamin D not mentioned)
Magnesium and mental illness chart
Which is in Overview Magnesium and vitamin DADHD 21 ng, normals 33 ng - June 2014
Vitamin D status in children with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder.
Pediatr Int. 2014 Aug;56(4):515-9. doi: 10.1111/ped.12286
Goksugur SB1, Tufan AE, Semiz M, Gunes C, Bekdas M, Tosun M, Demircioglu F.
1Department of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey.BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), one of the most common psychiatric disorders of childhood, has an early onset, affecting 2-18% of children worldwide. The etiopathogenesis of ADHD is obscure. In recent studies, a low level of vitamin D has been found in association with many disorders as well as in neuropsychiatric diseases. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate serum vitamin D level in pediatric ADHD patients.
METHODS: A total of 60 ADHD patients and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. The age of both groups was in the 7-18-year-old range. Serum 25-OH-vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase were investigated.
RESULTS:
Serum 25-OH-vitamin D was found to be significantly lower in children and adolescents with ADHD compared to healthy controls, and no significant differences were found between the groups in terms of other variables. 25-OH-vitamin D level in the ADHD group and control group was, respectively, 20.9 ± 19.4 ng/mL and 34.9 ± 15.4 ng/mL (P = 0.001).CONCLUSION: There is an association between lower 25-OH-vitamin D concentration and ADHD in childhood and adolescence. To the authors' knowledge this is the first study to investigate the relationship between vitamin D and ADHD in children.
Brainplasticity software has shown nice improvement in some ADHD symptoms - 2016
- Positive Study Results on Software to Address ADHD Symptoms BrainHQ
" The brain exercise group significantly improved, as compared to the control, on both the response inhibition measure and Stroop interference, a measure of executive function. A trend toward improvement, which did not reach significance, was noted on the two other secondary measures: sustained attention and short-term memory span"
Note: The Founder of Vitamin D Life has been enjoying the great benefits of BrainHQ since about 2005
ADHD associated with both low vitamin D and poor Vitamin D Receptor - Feb 2018
- Vitamin D and vitamin D receptor levels in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
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Adult ADHD and Vitamin Bs and Vitamin D - 2016
Vitamin levels in adults with ADHD
BJPsych Open. 2016 Nov; 2(6): 377–384, online 2016 Dec 13. doi: 10.1192/bjpo.bp.116.003491
Elisabeth Toverud Landaas, Tore Ivar Malmei Aarsland, Arve Ulvik, Anne Halmøy, Per Magne Ueland, and Jan HaavikBackground: Micronutrients containing vitamins are reported to reduce symptom levels in persons with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but data on vitamin levels in ADHD are sparse.
Aims: To examine the relationship between vitamin concentrations, ADHD diagnosis and psychiatric symptoms in young adult ADHD patients and controls.
Method: Eight vitamins and the nicotine metabolite cotinine were analysed in serum samples from 133 ADHD patients and 131 controls aged between 18 and 40, who also reported ADHD symptoms and comorbid conditions.
Results: Lower concentrations of vitamins B2, B6 and B9 were associated with the ADHD diagnosis, and B2 and B6 also with symptom severity. Smokers had lower levels of vitamins B2 and B9.
Conclusions: ADHD patients were overrepresented in the group with low levels of some vitamins, possibly indicative of inadequate dietary intake of these micronutrients in a subgroup of patients. It is important to identify these patients in dietary intervention trials of ADHD.
+  Download the PDF from Vitamin D LifeNote: these are the Vitamin levels years after ADHD started
ADHD associated with low Vit D and Zinc; but high Magnesium, Folate, and B12 - April 2018
Micronutrient Levels May Be Altered in ADHD
Molecular reasons that Vitamin D treats ADHD - Aug 2018
The molecular mechanism of vitamin D action in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a review of current evidences.
CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2018 Apr 30. doi: 10.2174/1871527317666180501111627. [Epub ahead of print]
Saedisomeolia A1, Samadi M1, Gholami F1, Seyedi M1, Effatpanah M2, Hashemi R2, Anvari S3, Abdolahi M1, Djalali M1, Honarvar NM1.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. Children with ADHD have challenges with learning, behavior and psychosocial adjustments retaining into adulthood. The exact etiology of ADHD is unknown and the pathophysiology of this disease is complex. Multifactorial hypotheses such as catecholaminergic and serotonergic systems disorders, neurotropic factors, some biological impairment with inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways are considered for ADHD. Some studies have shown that vitamin D level in children with ADHD is lower than healthy children; therefore, it may be involved in the pathogenesis of ADHD. Moreover, vitamin D has important effect on the inflammation, oxidative stress and some of neurotrophic factors and neurotransmitters; therefore, vitamin D supplementation may be effective in these children by facilitating dopaminergic and serotonergic function and some neurotrophic factors, as well as decreasing inflammation and oxidative stress.
PMID: 29714151 DOI: 10.2174/1871527317666180501111627
Less ADHD where the sun is brighter (United States) - March 2013
Geographic Variation in the Prevalence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: The Sunny Perspective
 Download the PDF from Vitamin D LifeADHD in US teens increased 1.9 X in 20 years, black children and teens 2.7 X - 2018
Twenty-Year Trends in Diagnosed Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Among US Children and Adolescents, 1997-2016
JAMA Network Open. 2018;1(4):e181471. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.1471
Guifeng Xu, MD1,2; Lane Strathearn, MBBS, FRACP, PhD1,3; Buyun Liu, MD, PhD2; et al Binrang Yang, MD, PhD1,4; Wei Bao, MD, PhD2
Key Points- Question What are the long-term trends in prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among US children and adolescents over the past 2 decades?
- Findings In this study of data from 186 457 children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 years from the National Health Interview Survey, a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional survey conducted annually from 1997 to 2016, the estimated prevalence of diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in US children and adolescents increased from 6.1% in 1997-1998 to 10.2% in 2015-2016.
- Meaning Among US children and adolescents, the estimated prevalence of diagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder increased significantly between 1997 and 2016.
Importance Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common in US children and adolescents. It is important to understand the most recent prevalence of ADHD and its long-term trends over the past decades.
Objective To estimate the prevalence of diagnosed ADHD and 20-year trends from 1997 to 2016 among US children and adolescents using nationally representative data.
Design, Setting, and Participants In this population-based, cross-sectional survey study (National Health Interview Survey), surveys were conducted annually from 1997 to 2016. A total of 186 457 children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 years from 1997 to 2016 were included in this analysis. Data were collected through in-person household interviews with a parent or guardian. The data analysis was performed in January 2018.
Main Outcomes and Measures Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnosed by a physician or other health care professional.
Results Among the included 186 457 children and adolescents (96 017 boys [51.5%], 51 350 Hispanic [27.5%], 91 374 non-Hispanic white [49.0%], 28 808 non-Hispanic black [15.5%], 14 925 non-Hispanic other race [8.0%]), 14 704 children and adolescents (7.9%; 10 536 boys [71.7%], 2497 Hispanic [17.0%], 9010 non-Hispanic white [61.3%], 2328 non-Hispanic black [15.8%], and 869 non-Hispanic other race [5.9%]) were reported to have ever been diagnosed with ADHD. The weighted prevalence of diagnosed ADHD was 10.2% (95% CI, 9.6%-10.8%) in 2015-2016. There were significant sex and racial/ethnic disparities in the prevalence of diagnosed ADHD. The prevalence was 14.0% (95% CI, 13.1%-15.0%) in boys and 6.3% (95% CI, 5.6%-7.0%) in girls, 6.1% (95% CI, 5.2%-7.0%) in Hispanic individuals, 12.0% (95% CI, 11.1%-12.9%) in non-Hispanic white individuals, and 12.8% (95% CI, 11.0%-14.5%) in non-Hispanic black individuals. Over the 20-year period, the estimated prevalence of diagnosed ADHD in US children and adolescents increased from 6.1% in 1997-1998 to 10.2% in 2015-2016 (P for trend <.001). All subgroups by age, sex, race/ethnicity, family income, and geographic regions showed a significant increase in the prevalence from 1997-1998 to 2015-2016.
Conclusions and Relevance This study’s findings suggest that among US children and adolescents, the estimated prevalence of diagnosed ADHD increased significantly between 1997-1998 and 2015-2016. This study suggests that additional research is needed to better understand the cause of this apparent rise in prevalence.
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Saffron as good as Ritalin at treating ADHD - RCT 2019
Randomized Double-Blind Study Shows Saffron Can Help ADHD Mercola
- 6 week trial 20-30 mg of either ==> same result
- "Saffron, known as the world’s most expensive spice by weight, has traditionally been valued for its antispasmodic, antiseptic, antidepressant, anticancer and anticonvulsant effects, and the researchers noted that saffron’s active compounds are known to “increase the reuptake inhibition of dopamine and norepinephrine and are N-methyl D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonists and GABA-α agonists.”
- "Therapeutically, they add, saffron has been shown to enhance memory while also possessing antidepressant, antianxiety and neuroprotective effects that may be valuable in the treatment of ADHD."
- From Crocus sativus L. Versus Methylphenidate in Treatment of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind Pilot Study Feb 2019
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ADHD and Vitamin D Deficiency67690 visitors, last modified 22 Dec, 2019, This page is in the following categories (# of items in each category)Infant-Child606 Vitamin D and Omega-3 330 Category 146 ADHD 36 Attached files
ID Name Comment Uploaded Size Downloads 12922 Omega-3 AHDH PHD 2019.pdf PDF 2019 admin 06 Nov, 2019 01:59 5.55 Mb 322 11570 Saffron ADHD RCT.pdf PDF 2019 admin 15 Mar, 2019 17:30 239.17 Kb 430 10543 Preterm ADHD.jpg admin 14 Sep, 2018 17:03 34.98 Kb 5609 10518 ADHD trend teens, blacks.jpg admin 11 Sep, 2018 00:47 91.48 Kb 5679 10517 ADHD trends.pdf PDF 2018 admin 11 Sep, 2018 00:28 687.45 Kb 477 10242 ADHD.jpg admin 24 Jul, 2018 20:09 11.58 Kb 5854 10168 ADHD sun CDC.jpg admin 12 Jul, 2018 20:05 17.52 Kb 6020 10167 ADHD sun.jpg admin 12 Jul, 2018 20:04 54.41 Kb 5919 10166 Geographic Variation in ADHD.pdf admin 12 Jul, 2018 20:04 499.06 Kb 433 9584 Vitamin levels in adults with ADHD.pdf admin 26 Mar, 2018 19:29 214.20 Kb 545 9439 ADHD Vit D Vit D Receptor.jpg admin 03 Mar, 2018 16:23 13.55 Kb 7202 9438 ADHD Vit D Vit D Receptor.pdf PDF 2018 admin 03 Mar, 2018 16:23 288.61 Kb 595 9145 ADHD celebs.jpg admin 06 Jan, 2018 22:37 88.67 Kb 8383 9073 ADHD very preterm.pdf PDF 2017 admin 31 Dec, 2017 10:45 1.44 Mb 687 9072 ADHD sunshine explain 40% Researchgate.pdf admin 31 Dec, 2017 10:20 499.06 Kb 1505 9071 ADHD preg 57 nmol.pdf PDF 2017 admin 31 Dec, 2017 10:05 897.71 Kb 751 9070 ADHD table.jpg admin 31 Dec, 2017 02:08 48.50 Kb 20949 9069 ADHD 4 venn.jpg admin 31 Dec, 2017 02:08 61.16 Kb 17593 9068 ADHD 5 venn.jpg admin 31 Dec, 2017 02:07 46.13 Kb 9896 9067 ADHD 6 venn.jpg admin 31 Dec, 2017 02:07 36.76 Kb 8803 9066 Autism and ADHS venn.jpg admin 31 Dec, 2017 02:06 28.43 Kb 9505 7901 ADHD T1.jpg admin 09 Apr, 2017 15:24 78.15 Kb 12359 7900 Omega-3 ADHD.pdf PDF 2016 admin 09 Apr, 2017 15:19 439.54 Kb 715 6528 ADHD Zinc Omega-3.pdf PDF 2016 admin 06 Apr, 2016 13:05 671.83 Kb 1250 6524 ADHD 2015.pdf admin 05 Apr, 2016 00:40 200.88 Kb 1185 4824 Predict ADHD.pdf PDF 2013 admin 06 Jan, 2015 16:39 188.52 Kb 1835 3393 ADHD adults.jpg admin 14 Dec, 2013 21:38 29.89 Kb 26009 3350 ADHD Spectracell.png admin 05 Dec, 2013 12:34 236.10 Kb 66047 3349 Ritalin in UK.jpg admin 05 Dec, 2013 12:30 30.98 Kb 27356 3348 ADHD prescriptions.jpg admin 05 Dec, 2013 12:30 78.82 Kb 37797 405 ADD_Study.pdf ADDitude Mag admin 14 Jan, 2011 12:15 268.02 Kb 4037 See any problem with this page? Report it (FINALLY WORKS) - Vitamin D Life Category Omega-3